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Ten Things of Thankful: It's October! Edition

As a child, my delight with October started as soon as realized it was my birthday month (1).

Then, of course, I quickly learned that October also brought costumes, pumpkin-carving, and candy (2, 3, 4).

As a freshman in college at BYU in Utah, October surprised me with snow on my birthday(5--even though, or perhaps because, this was a once-in-my-lifetime event). Not fully understanding that I wouldn't see bare ground again until March, I watched in wonder as the big flakes drifted to the earth, and the mountain peaks turned white.

In full disclosure, this photo was taken years after the birthday snow, in November rather than October, and in Salt Lake City rather than Provo--but it is a photo of Utah snow!

Now as an adult, Octobers in the desert typically offer me a reprieve from the hot summers (6). I don't have to run the swamp coolers 24/7, yet it's still warm enough that I don't have to turn on the heater.

The changing temperatures help bring colorful leaves(7). In my mind, the trees are most glorious in October. In actuality, our trees still are filled with leaves of green, but I know that eventually--and maybe even later this month--green will give way to yellow, orange, and red. The colors do not rival New England's, of course, but they do provide a change of scenery.

October always brings General Conference (8) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love listening to the messages; as I listen and watch, I find inspiration, encouragement, and ideas on how to apply the counsel in my own life. Feel free to join me in watching General Conference, if you'd like. Here's a video invitation:

Conference is translated into many, many different languages. This year, though, may prove to be unique: conference speakers may speak in their native language. In the past, conference speakers have always delivered their messages in English, even if English was not their mother tongue. This switch to allow speakers to choose the language of delivery is evidence of the world-wide nature of the church, and is a welcome change.

October used to host the switch back to Standard Time (9). Even though now we have to wait until November to gain an extra hour, I'm always thankful for sleep. October marks the month that John first asked me on a date(10). I'm so glad I accepted! I think I'll leave the telling of that story for another post, so stay tuned. Suffice it to say, he's been asking me out ever since, and I'm thankful he is my husband and best friend.

Not a photo of our first date, but taken a month or so later.

Thanks for October, and for another week of this blog hop. Please consider joining--it's a wonderful way to start (or finish) the weekend!

Sounds like October is a perfect month for you in California! Makes me wish I could live there too! October here means cold weather, having the fireplace in use again and spiders, lots of spiders!! Eeewwwww..... I didn't knew your daylight saving time was set back in November though. In Europe it's the last weekend of October and until 10 years ago orso it was in September.... I learn something new every day! Thanks for sharing! Say hi to John for me.

I think I would have tended to agree with you more about October if I would have read this on Friday. Now, Saturday morning, when I'm sitting in three layers, including my robe, and still cold...not so much. :)

You were such a cute little kid.

Very cool that the General Conference speakers will be speaking in their native languages.

It's all a matter of perspective, isn't it? Although we did enjoy some highs in the 70s, this weekend we are back in the low 90s. And still I'm thinking, not triple-digits! Fall is here! :-)

The conference speakers have the option of speaking in their native language. I think everyone is curious to see if Dieter F. Uchtdorf, one of the counselors in the First Presidency, will speak in German or English. I imagine some of the other speakers will deliver addresses in Spanish.

I love October - perhaps my favorite month. I would love to have been married in October but there was no way that was going to work! As it turns out, we like our December anniversary just fine because it falls between Christmas and New Year's and we usually end up having the day off together. Happy first date anniversary to you and John!

October is really the start of cool weather and cozy times on Dogwood Lane and my favorite time of year. I can always put on another sweater but it's so hard to get cool in the summer so Fall is my favorite time for sure. I'm thankful for rain this week which helped firefighters control the wild fire which threatened our home and small town so I'm breathing easier today in more ways than one.

I think October is one of my favorite months (and happy birthday month!!!). The leaves, the possibility of snow, and I really really love Halloween. I love seeing my son enjoy the season and the leaves and just all of it. I adore the photo of little-girl you too! So cute!!

Oh, I love that young picture of John! October's a favorite of mine, too. I like the milder seasons, and I love the colors of fall. I don't even mind the shorter days...until they start getting really short.

Have you ever thought to yourself about some occurance... "DID I dream that or Did that happen?" Thats how I feel about commenting here yesterday.. I have been a bit out of sorts and not sure.. but I recall wanting to say how much I loved those first two photos... I remember those masks when I was a kid... I loved dressing up as the witch!

(not really much of a language person, at least in terms of speaking other languages), I think it should be a lot of fun/very interesting to listen to speakers in their native tongues. Sort of like listening to an un-famillier style of music, where the basic subject matter/theme is known, but the way of expressing it different. I'd bet you'd get the feeling of what they are conveying, whether you speak their language or not. (plus there's that cool thing that happens…where someone hits a word that is not translatable, so they use it….in the middle of all the other 'unfamiliar' words… I love that.

October is a pretty great month over here as well. We live in similar climates since I live in the desert as well so I know exactly what you mean about the relief from the heat. I don't think our leaves changes much. I think it might be to the same extent that you say. I love to see the photos of where I used to live in NJ when the colors are so bright and vibrant, but I don't envy them with those cold temperatures at all!

I am falling in love with October this year ....A happy birthday month to you - its wonderful seeing everyone'e perspective of the month so many different ones - leaves are still green around here not quite the burst of colors just yet... I'm sure up north is a different scene...you and John are adorable together its wonderful that he is still asking out - enjoy your Sunday! :)

That witch costume is SO ADORABLE! I remember those costumes w/the plastic masks, you could barely breathe or see anything! Couldn't WAIT to take those off, spent half the night w/it up on top of my head. Happy birthday month!

October is quite a magical, special month for you Kristi. Happy Birthday! I bet I'm not late, am I? LOL You were so precious at 2:) Nothing beats the eager anticipation and exctiement of a 2 year old! Especially at birthday time. The snow picture is absolutely beautiful but I don't know that I could take not seeing the ground for that long a time! I can do winter, having been born and raised in RI, but it seems the older I get, the less tolerant I am for snow! But it can be pretty."Suffice it to say, he's been asking me out ever since, and I'm thankful he is my husband and best friend." This. This alone would be reason enough to celebrate the month:)

My freshman year of college was the snowiest one; the other years we had breaks between snowstorms, and it wasn't just an endless white ground for months on end. If I were in charge of snow, I would have it snow from mid-November until Jan. 1st--with none of the weather-related traffic hassles, of course--and then jump back to clear, sunny days. :-)

When he asked me out on Friday, I told him that the pressure was on--that I had mentioned on the blog that he asked me out every week. :-) We truly are fortunate in our marriage. Though life has presented its challenges, our marriage has always been a strength to us, for which I will be forever grateful.

1. I'm thankful for cooperative return policies. Several weeks ago, I mentioned that I had to return a range that I had purchased, and I hoped that the particular range was just a lemon and that the replacement wouldn't have the same problem. Well, unfortunately, it did. On the bright side, the store quickly picked up the second range and refunded my money. I'm putting appliance purchases on the back burner (!) for the moment.

2. I'm thankful for temples. I went one morning this week to the temple. I'm always amazed at how much insight comes in just an hour or two of reflection.

3. I'm thankful for my sister. She and her family came to Utah to spend Thanksgiving with her in-laws, and I got a chance to see her and her family on Wednesday. The last time I saw her was in January at our grandma's 100th birthday celebration. We feel lucky to have two visits in one year!

Me in a Nutshell

In the summer of 2018, after 29 years of raising children, my husband and I (as he puts it) "finally grew up and moved out on our own." I loved those years, but I also love the empty-nest adventure. No matter what your stage of life, I invite you to join me in living life with a thankful heart.